PAUL MURRAY: Let the people speak on same-sex marriage

12th August 2017 6:00 AM

Paul Murray, the outspoken host of Paul Murray Live, one of the most watched programs on Sky.

by Paul Murray, Sky News

OPINION

FAMILY ISN'T FAIR GAME IN POLITICS

A big red line was crossed this week by "protesters" in Melbourne who threw paint at the Lord Mayor's house following the council's decision to move homeless people away from the area near Flinders Street station.

It's the second time they have attacked his home.

This is beyond not on. Targeting public figures' homes is never acceptable and should be met with a serious response by police and anyone who cares about a civil society.

Sadly, it's not just the physical attacks that go way too far.

You don't have to dig that deep into the internet to find people trying to work out where public figures live with the express purpose of threatening them.

True, in public life when you lead with your chin someone is going to take the metaphoric swing at it. But family is off-limits.

Sure, play the ball hard, but not the man or woman trying their best to make our country a better place.

YET ANOTHER EXAMPLE OF ONE RULE FOR CANBERRA AND ANOTHER FOR THE REST OF US

How is it legal that a serving politician can take money from anyone but the public while they are in office?

This week we learnt that the former and very effective Small Business Minister Bruce Bilson was paid by the 'Franchise Council' while he was still an MP.

He's gone on to work for them in his post politics life.

Amazingly, the reaction of the major political parties wasn't to close this loophole, only to say it was regrettable.

We have strict rules that cover dual citizenship and making extra money off the Commonwealth that have seen senators lose their jobs because that activity gives the perception of divided loyalties.

Surely getting paid by a lobby group while you are an MP is worse than either of these fatal 'mistakes'?

But when the club sees no urgency to change this system our ever shrinking faith in politics falls even lower.

STOP COMPLAINING AND JUST LET PEOPLE HAVE THEIR SAY ON SAME SEX MARRIAGE

Lefties need to stop whinging about the same sex marriage plebiscite and just convince people to vote yes or no.

The press gallery lost its collective mind when the government did what it promised and found a way to give you a say on the issue.

Many of them have lost all objectivity and are in full campaign mode looking for any excuse to deny the government their promise of a public vote.

At a press conference on Monday, they screamed at the PM about the process and jumped the shark when they started to ask questions about whether the Facebook generation would know how the process works.

If young, old or anyone else can't answer a yes no question on a piece of paper, lick the envelope and send it back, same sex marriage is the least of our problems.

For the record, I will be voting yes and have argued for same sex marriage for more than 20 years.

**Joining Paul on the program this Monday (14 August) are Graham Richardson, Ross Cameron and Janine Perrett.